Colonialismhttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/colonialism
en-usSun, 02 Aug 2015 16:39:38 -0400Sun, 02 Aug 2015 16:39:38 -0400The latest news on Colonialism from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/jamestown-settlers-identified-2015-7The mysterious identity of 4 critical leaders who shaped civilization in early colonial America was just revealedhttp://www.businessinsider.com/jamestown-settlers-identified-2015-7
Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:50:00 -0400Tia Ghose
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55ba3183371d22462c8b8f7d-630-420/jamesfort-188_nov_2013_excavation_147-630x420.jpg" alt="JAMESFORT 188_Nov_2013_Excavation_147 630x420" data-mce-source="Smithsonian Institution" data-link="http://smithsonianscience.si.edu/2015/07/jamestown-skeletons-identified-as-colony-leaders/" /></p><p>Four lost leaders of the first permanent English settlement in the Americas have been identified, thanks to chemical analysis of their skeletons, as well as historical <a href="http://www.livescience.com/51673-four-jamestown-settlers-identified.html#" class="itxtnewhook itxthook" rel="nofollow">documents</a>.</p>
<p>The settlement leaders were mostly high-status men who were buried at the 1608 Jamestown church in Virginia. And all played pivotal roles in the early colony.</p>
<p>"They're very much at the heart of the <a href="http://www.livescience.com/28945-american-culture.html">foundation of the America</a> that we know today," said Douglas Owsley, a forensic anthropologist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., who helped identify the bodies. [<a href="http://www.livescience.com/51674-jamestown-settlers-identified-photos.html">See photos of the newly identified Jamestown settlers</a>]</p>
<p>By analyzing the bones, researchers can get a snapshot of what it was like to live during the earliest days of America, Owsley said.</p>
<p>"It's a way of getting very detailed information you simply can't get from the history books," Owsley told Live Science.</p>
<h2>First colonies</h2>
<p>Though the British had previously sent out settler ships (to the doomed colony of Roanoke), the British colonial adventure in America truly got started in Jamestown, Virginia.</p>
<p>English settlers disembarked from their ships in 1607 at an inland spot along the James River, marking a chunk of land as a prime location for a fortified settlement. Over the next few years, several boats would arrive, bearing hundreds of settlers to what would be called Jamestown.</p>
<p>But times were rough; during a six-month period in 1609 known as the "starving time," nearly 250 people died at Jamestown. At least some of the inhabitants resorted to cannibalism, according to a 2013 study by the same researchers.</p>
<h2><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55ba32c9371d2254008bb268-630-493/jamesfort-188_excavation_051-630x493.jpg" alt="JAMESFORT 188_Excavation_051 630x493" data-mce-source="Smithsonian Insitution/Donald Hurlbert" data-mce-caption="Forensic anthropologists Doug Owsley and Kari Bruwelheide and colleague Ashley McKeown take a look at the grave of Rev. Robert Hunt." />Founding fathers</h2>
<p>In 2013, Owsley and his colleagues first unearthed the bodies, near the historic Jamestown church where Captain John Smith married Pocahontas. Two of the bodies were in fairly ornate, anthropomorphic coffins, though the bodies were poorly preserved.</p>
<p>To identify the men, the archaeologists combined genealogical and historical documents from both England and the colonies, along with artifacts and analyses of the chemicals in the skeletons. For instance, the elite often had higher levels of lead in their bones during this time, because they frequently used lead-containing pewter and lead-glazed ceramics for eating and drinking, Owsley said.</p>
<p>"These are high-status individuals, two of them particularly so," Owsley told Live Science.</p>
<p>One of the men was Ferdinando Weyman, who died in 1610 at around age 34. He was the uncle of Sir Thomas West, the governor of Virginia. Weyman was also related to another of the men identified, Captain William West. This man perished in 1610 after a fight with the Powhatan Indians. His body was identified thanks to a partly decayed, dirt-covered military sash that was found with the skeleton. The sash, still inside a block of dirt, was placed in a computed tomography (CT) scanner, which revealed a silk cloth decorated with silver fringe.</p>
<p>Both West and Weyman were buried in human-shaped coffins with a distinctive pattern of nails. Weyman had higher lead levels in his bones than the other individuals, indicating his elite status.</p>
<p>Another of the newly identified men was Captain Gabriel Archer, who died during the starving time in 1609 at the age of 34. Captain Archer was buried with the leading staff, an arrow-tipped staff that he used, enabling the team to identify him. Archer was also buried with a small silver box, known as a reliquary, containing bone fragments and pieces of a lead container for holding holy water atop his coffin. The artifact suggests he may have secretly clung to his Catholic faith.</p>
<p>The last man of the group was Reverend Robert Hunt. Unlike the more affluent men, he was buried in a simple shroud, facing west, toward the congregation he headed. Hunt died in 1608 around the age of 39.</p>
<h2>Lost to history</h2>
<p>The research team may do further analysis to confirm the men's identities. The bodies were poorly preserved, but it may be possible to extract some usable DNA from the remains, Owsley said.</p>
<p>"Even as we speak, we're looking at genetic evidence to see if I can show the connection between Weyman, who would be the uncle of William West," Owsley said.</p>
<p>While the team would like to identify other individuals from historic Jamestown, that could prove difficult, as fewer traces remain of most of the settlers, the researchers said.</p>
<p>"If you're a woman in the 17th century, you live totally in the shadow of your husband," Owsley said. "Most people would come and go and die at Jamestown, and nobody would write a word about them."</p><p><strong>CHECK OUT:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-timeline-of-human-evolution-graphic-2015-3" >Two new fossils just rewrote the timeline of human evolution — here's what it looks like now</a></strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jamestown-settlers-identified-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sharks-spotted-coast-england-2015-7">People were baffled by 50 sharks circling in shallow waters off the English coast</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/the-11-nations-of-the-united-states-2015-7This map shows the US really has 11 separate 'nations' with entirely different cultureshttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-11-nations-of-the-united-states-2015-7
Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:17:04 -0400Matthew Speiser
<p><span style="background-color: #ffff00;"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55b273a2371d2211008b9793-3167-2159/11 nations.jpg" alt="11 Nations" data-mce-source="Colin Woodward and Tufts/Brian Stauffer" data-mce-caption="The 11 nations of North America" /></span></p>
<p>In his fourth book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Nations-History-Regional-Cultures/dp/0143122029" target="_blank">American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures in North America</a>," a<span>ward-winning author </span><a href="http://www.colinwoodard.com/" target="_blank">Colin Woodard</a>&nbsp;identifies 11 distinct cultures&nbsp;that have historically divided the US.</p>
<p><span>"The country has been arguing about a lot of fundamental things lately including state roles and individual liberty," </span><span><span>Woodard, a Maine native who won the </span><a href="http://www.pressherald.com/special/Read_the_Polk_Award-winning_story_and_more_of_Woodards_work.html" target="_blank">2012 George Polk Award</a><span> for investigative reporting, told Business Insider.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>"[But] in order to have any productive conversation on these issues," he added, "you need to know where you come from. Once you know where you are coming from it will help move the conversation forward."</span></span></span></p>
<p>Here's how Woodard describes each nation:</p>
<h2><strong>Yankeedom</strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Encompassing the entire Northeast north of New York City and spreading through&nbsp;Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, Yankeedom&nbsp;values education, intellectual achievement, communal empowerment, and citizen participation in government as a shield against tyranny. Yankees are&nbsp;comfortable with government regulation. Woodard notes that Yankees have a "Utopian streak." The area was settled by radical Calvinists.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>New Netherland</strong></h2>
<p>A highly&nbsp;commercial culture, New Netherland is "<span>materialistic, with a profound tolerance for ethnic and religious diversity and an unflinching commitment to the freedom of inquiry and conscience," according to Woodard. It is a natural ally with Yankeedom and encompasses New York City and northern New Jersey. The area was settled by the Dutch.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/558c010469beddd309246430-2048-1365/16654352517_a6eb45f2ce_k.jpg" alt="new york city" data-mce-source="Flickr / Andr&eacute;s Nieto Porras" data-link="https://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/16654352517/in/photolist-rnFULV-nF295g-nU1WrD-nFNwkX-nzKbDy-nzKKkx-nhrMw1-zJEWH-nJ7qCY-dsprTX-75CJyS-qG5kJW-rc4Ya7-nQV21M-dnFkgb-eywR12-bEiH6n-eiQXUk-ckrBp-qnvgRr-4Z7mB6-dmScc6-9yEAn-mZU9d2-pGLEEW-bFdPgt-nJgp1o-pqJdvv-cmJa3q-6K9LCT-rZ4gDQ-7ii4vp-zhe21-hucqWR-gxcrje-5nfafY-9QU2Es-fUUDz-A1BdZ-pqg2ex-pqhYsu-pqfqud-5HB833-73eBCG-6SMTax-dK5kEh-gxcdoV-8oESR8-8CWehV-rhMH2x" /></span></p>
<h2><strong>The Midlands</strong></h2>
<p>Settled by English Quakers, The Midlands are a welcoming middle-class society that&nbsp;spawned the culture of the "American Heartland." Political opinion is moderate, and government regulation is frowned upon. Woodard calls the ethnically diverse Midlands "America's great swing region." Within the Midlands are parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Tidewater</strong></h2>
<p>Tidewater was built by the young English gentry in the area around the Chesapeake Bay and North Carolina. Starting as a feudal society that embraced slavery, the region places a high value on respect for authority and tradition. Woodard notes that Tidewater is in decline, partly because<span>&nbsp;"it has been eaten away by the expanding federal halos around D.C. and Norfolk."</span></p>
<h2><strong>Greater Appalachia</strong></h2>
<p>Colonized by settlers from the war-ravaged&nbsp;<span>borderlands of Northern Ireland, northern England, and the Scottish lowlands, Greater Appalachia is stereotyped as the land of hillbillies and rednecks. Woodard says Appalachia values personal s<span>overeignty and individual liberty and is "i<span>ntensely suspicious of lowland aristocrats and Yankee social engineers alike." It sides with the Deep South to counter the influence of federal government. Within Greater Appalachia are parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Indiana, Illinois, and Texas.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/550b330aecad042b219cedc7-1024-682/louisville-7.jpg" alt="Louisville" data-mce-source="Flickr / Peter Dedina" data-link="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pikmin/2665929559/in/photolist-54zzYK-dArKKk-d4mZ7U-b84MeP-2LtB4-dnmxYr-bzTSdG-4UQwCg-d1mKnf-cbzyB5-bum7YV-cKDZ7C-byf6jz-bvBo8b-5o3fMQ-qBacvw-jCR8qr-cs1VTo-a2hwox-6XbngM-b43Ls8-d14Rfd-4U3Ftf-bmAYcd-torPq-d6iKjo-bWaoVE-aiGV-euTdDw-eoorye-bN8nQ6-a3m9tE-eekMVc-c1qQy9-a5W1vu-7tXq8V-bPCdwP-4ytELZ-4hhwaf-ovbf-2zicM3-dnFUv7-bGoor4-aLBGJ6-d4ZBx-bZytdG-5PtcVn-iYdZhd-dFJzfh-b3uhkn" /></span></span></span></p>
<h2><strong>Deep South</strong></h2>
<p>The Deep South was established by English slave lords from Barbados and was styled as a West Indies-style slave society, Woodard notes. It has a very rigid social structure and fights against government regulation that threatens individual liberty. Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina are all part of the Deep South.</p>
<h2><strong>El Norte</strong></h2>
<p>Composed of the borderlands of the Spanish-American empire, El Norte is "a place apart" from the rest of America, according to Woodard. Hispanic culture dominates in the area, and the region values independence, self-sufficiency, and hard work above all else. Parts of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California are in El Norte.</p>
<h2><strong>The Left Coast</strong></h2>
<p>Colonized by New Englanders and Appalachian Midwesterners, the Left Coast is a hybrid of "<span>Yankee utopianism and Appalachian self-expression and exploration," Woodard says, adding that it is the staunchest ally of Yankeedom. Coastal California, Oregon, and Washington are in the Left Coast.</span></p>
<p><span><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5592b12aeab8ead476169e90-2500-1667/san francisco city and homes.jpg" alt="San Francisco City and Homes" data-mce-source="Shutterstock / prochasson frederic" data-link="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-141108409/stock-photo-view-from-alamo-square-at-twilight-san-francisco.html?src=YoSQ0icVWIITCoq3orpDHA-1-24" /></span></p>
<h2><strong>The Far West</strong></h2>
<p>The conservative west. Developed through large investment in industry, yet where inhabitants continue to "resent" the Eastern interests that initially controlled that investment. Among Far West states are Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.&nbsp;<strong><span><br /></span></strong></p>
<h2><strong>New France</strong></h2>
<p>A pocket of liberalism nestled in the Deep South, its people are consensus driven, tolerant, and comfortable with government involvement in the economy. Woodard says New France is among the most liberal places in North America. New France is focused around New Orleans in Louisiana as well as the Canadian province of Quebec.</p>
<h2><strong>First Nation</strong></h2>
<p>Made up&nbsp;of Native Americans, the First Nation's members enjoy <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribal_sovereignty_in_the_United_States">tribal sovereignty</a> in the US.&nbsp;Woodard says the territory of the First Nations is huge, but its population is under&nbsp;300,000, most of whose people live in the northern reaches of Canada.</p>
<p>Woodard says that among these 11 nations, Yankeedom and the Deep South exert the most influence and are constantly competing with each other for the hearts and minds of the other nations.</p>
<p><span>"We are trapped in brinkmanship because there is not a lot of wiggle room between Yankee and Southern Culture," Woodard says. "Those two nations would never see eye to eye on anything besides an external threat."</span></p>
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<p>Woodard also believes the nation is likely to become more polarized, even though America is becoming a more diverse place every day. He says this is because people are "self-sorting."</p>
<p>"People choose to move to places where they identify with &nbsp;the values," &nbsp;Woodard says. "Red minorities go south and blue minorities go north to be in the majority.&nbsp;This is why blue states are getting bluer and red states are getting redder and the middle is getting smaller."</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-the-majority-of-americans-2015-6" >20 fascinating facts about the majority of Americans</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-11-nations-of-the-united-states-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-discovered-earth-like-planet-kepler-life-telescope-2015-7">Here's what we know about the new 'Earth' — a planet that could support life</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/puerto-ricos-ports-can-only-do-business-with-us-ships-2015-7Puerto Rico's anxiety of its territorial status adds to debt crisishttp://www.businessinsider.com/puerto-ricos-ports-can-only-do-business-with-us-ships-2015-7
Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:48:50 -0400Alan Yuhas
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/559280fe6da8111d6c37e6c0-1200-800/rtx1cvmb.jpg" border="0" alt="Puerto Rico flag"></p><p>The word “colony” conjures images of conquistadors and pilgrims, slavery and imperialism.</p>
<p>But in Puerto Rico the supposed anachronism slips into daily conversations about the unstable present and an uncertain future.</p>
<p>Since the April day in 1899 when Americans formally took over the island, Puerto Ricans have felt uneasy about their status within the United States.</p>
<p>And as the island faces a debt crisis that has cratered its economy and sent its leaders to Washington to plead for more sovereign powers, the issue has taken on a new urgency.</p>
<p>Unique among US territories, Puerto Rico has a state-like government but is not a state: it draws all its authorities from Washington DC and is restricted in ways states are not. The island’s ports can only do business with US ships, for instance, and the territory depends heavily on federal aid.</p>
<p>Most pressingly, however, the island lacks authority to either file for bankruptcy or restructure its $72bn municipal debt.</p>
<p>Governor Alejandro García Padilla argues that in its current form the debt is “unpayable” and that greater austerity will exacerbate already difficult living conditions. Padilla has stopped short of endorsing statehood, instead trying to focus on limited new powers.</p>
<p>But other politicians have been bolder. In April, Republican presidential frontrunner Jeb Bush endorsed statehood for Puerto Rico, the homeland of tens of thousands of recent migrants to Florida, the former governor’s home state.</p>
<p>“Puerto Rican citizens ought to have the right to determine whether they want to be a state,” he said. “I think statehood is the best path, personally. To get the full benefits and responsibilities of citizenship, being a state is the only way to make that happen.”</p>
<p>Proponents of statehood argue that it’s a simple matter of fairness. The island’s Democratic delegate in Congress, Pedro Pierluisi, introduced a bill in February that could make Puerto Rico a state by 2021 should a majority of Puerto Ricans vote for statehood – as 61% did in a non-binding referendum in 2012.</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/559141a9ecad04e7695a0a63-1200-800/rtx1b1je.jpg" border="0" alt="Puerto Rico's Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla ">One of the top fundraisers for Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns, Andrés López, has argued that the status quo is not only unequal but unsustainable.</p>
<p>But the issue has found virtually no traction in Congress, and even appeals over bankruptcy powers have divided the House.</p>
<p>Many Puerto Ricans are skeptical of statehood, saying formal inclusion in the union would do almost nothing to ameliorate pressing issues of unemployment, healthcare and housing.</p>
<p>Antonio Cuñarro, a shop owner in Río Piedras, said the debate amounted to empty rhetoric. “Each government just uses one side or the other to get elected,” he said. “It’s all the same.”</p>
<p>San Juan legislator Luis Gallardo agreed, saying the campaign “exists only in the imagination of our statehood politicians. A lot of people have tried to piggyback on the issue.”</p>
<p>Gallardo said he was ambivalent: “I don’t know what’s worse, not having federal bankruptcy powers or having federal income taxes on top of the highest local taxes in the country.”</p>
<p>Others balked at becoming the 51st state. Attorney Manuel Rodriguez said statehood could help Puerto Ricans with access to the justice system, bankruptcy options and federal intervention, but “it’s no magic solution and would not necessarily mean progress. There’s also no chance it will happen, given Congress.”</p>
<p>A minority tapped into long-simmering nationalism and suggested more drastic changes – not quite the violent separatism of the 1960s and 70s, but a crusade for greater independence nonetheless.</p>
<p>“Statehood is wrong for Puerto Rico because Puerto Rico is a nation,” said senator Ramón Nieves. “We consider ourselves Puerto Ricans, not Americans.</p>
<p>“What Puerto Rico needs is more powers in its relationship with the US, and eventually a new relationship with the US.”</p>
<p>Nieves said Puerto Rico should follow the model of the Marshall Islands, which entered into a compact association with the US in order to retain some rights but also to move toward sovereign nationhood.</p>
<p>“We value our history and relationship with the US – thousands of Puerto Ricans have died in foreign wars for a century – but the traditional options of statehood or independence don’t help us right now,” he said.</p>
<p>Washington has done “close to nothing” to help, Nieves said, suggesting exemptions from trade restrictions, or guarantees on some bonds: “The Treasury always says it will provide ‘technical assistance’ but that doesn’t mean anything.</p>
<p>“I don’t mean that they should hand us a check for $72bn, but if they cannot be a little more active or willing to help us, they should give us the tools to help ourselves.</p>
<p>“Sovereignty is not the same as independence,” Nieves concluded. “All independent nations are sovereign, but not all sovereign nations are independent.”</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5591809c69beddd31994b915-1200-800/woman walking puerto rico closed restaurant.jpg" border="0" alt="Woman Walking Puerto Rico Closed Restaurant">In casual conversation many Puerto Ricans refer to the territory as a “country”, and occasionally as a “colony”. Monuments to Spanish and Latin American history and culture dominate San Juan: Miguel de Cervantes, Juan Ponce de León and Simon Bolívar all stand tall in the city. References to the US are rarer: a statue of Abraham Lincoln in the old city, the outposts of federal agencies and tourists.</p>
<p>“The relationship with the US has aggravated our problems,” said Ataveyra Hernández, a former adviser to the governor. “Puerto Ricans are hugely dependent on the government, which depends on federal money. It’s a structural problem, and there’s an urgent need to renegotiate the relationship.</p>
<p>“The Caribbean is full of countries that are small just like us, and they control their own destinies, their resources, their policies.”</p>
<p>But with constant movement to and from the mainland, the close ties of families, and a continuing military presence on the island, emotional ties to the US remain strong for Puerto Ricans born on both shores. Both flags dot homes in San Juan.</p>
<p>Some view the question of independence more dispassionately. A metro employee at the Río Piedras stop simply waved her hand toward the desolate plaza nearby.</p>
<p>“Look at where we are,” she said. “We’re not ready for that, no way.”</p>
<p>In practical terms, Puerto Ricans already enjoy most of the same perks as other Americans, including US passports and billions in welfare from the federal government, though their semi-autonomous government is restricted by and depends heavily on the US. They cannot vote for president and lack a congressional representative who can vote outside of House committees.</p>
<p>But new arrivals to the US who change their residency will be able to vote in the 2016 presidential election, and they could potentially sway key states such as Florida.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/puerto-ricos-ports-can-only-do-business-with-us-ships-2015-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-rancic-on-best-advice-from-donald-trump-2015-7">The original 'Apprentice' Bill Rancic: Here's the best advice I got from Donald Trump</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-north-american-rule-in-one-amazing-gif-2015-1The History Of North American Rule In One Amazing GIFhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-north-american-rule-in-one-amazing-gif-2015-1
Mon, 02 Feb 2015 07:04:49 -0500Pamela Engel
<p>It's easy to forget how young North American nations are compared to the rest of the world, but this GIF is a cool look at the overseas nations that ruled the continent for decades before the United States, Mexico, and Canada established independence.</p>
<p>Wikipedia user Esemono created a series of maps that show which parts of North America were controlled by which countries before they declared independence. (We first saw the map on <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/2nzbyw/north_american_borders_time_lapse_gif_670x750/">Reddit</a>.)</p>
<p>The United Kingdom, France, and Spain were the major players in North America until the late 1700s, when United States independence was recognized. Canada and Mexico were established later in the 1800s. (The maps don't include Native American rule.)</p>
<p>Check it out:</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/54c8e35eeab8ea296c9f539e/north%20america%20colonial%20rule.gif" border="0" alt="North America colonial rule maps"></p>
<p>Pilgrims who came to North America from England <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/370965/Mayflower">established the first permanent New England colony</a> in 1620. American colonies declared independence from Britain in 1776. French leader Napoleon Bonaparte <a href="https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/napoleonic-wars">obtained the Louisiana province from Spain</a> in 1800, but the <a href="https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/louisiana-purchase">Louisiana Purchase</a> in 1803 put the territory under American rule.</p>
<p>The frame-by-frame look at the GIF is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Non-Native_American_Nations_Control_over_N_America_1750-2008.gif">available on Wikipedia</a>.</p>
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<h3> </h3><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-the-majority-of-americans-2014-6?op=1#ixzz3Q7yDlGfu" >14 Fascinating Facts About The Majority Of Americans</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-north-american-rule-in-one-amazing-gif-2015-1#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-north-american-rule-in-one-amazing-gif-2015-1The History Of North American Rule In One Amazing GIFhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-north-american-rule-in-one-amazing-gif-2015-1
Wed, 28 Jan 2015 09:46:00 -0500Pamela Engel
<p>It's easy to forget how young North American nations are compared to the rest of the world, but this GIF is a cool look at the overseas nations that ruled the continent for decades before the United States, Mexico, and Canada established independence.</p>
<p>Wikipedia user Esemono created a series of maps that show which parts of North America were controlled by which countries before they declared independence. (We first saw the map on <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/2nzbyw/north_american_borders_time_lapse_gif_670x750/">Reddit</a>.)</p>
<p>The United Kingdom, France, and Spain were the major players in North America until the late 1700s, when United States independence was recognized. Canada and Mexico were established later in the 1800s. (The maps don't include Native American rule.)</p>
<p>Check it out:</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/54c8e35eeab8ea296c9f539e/north%20america%20colonial%20rule.gif" border="0" alt="North America colonial rule maps"></p>
<p>Pilgrims who came to North America from England <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/370965/Mayflower">established the first permanent New England colony</a> in 1620. American colonies declared independence from Britain in 1776. French leader Napoleon Bonaparte <a href="https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/napoleonic-wars">obtained the Louisiana province from Spain</a> in 1800, but the <a href="https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/louisiana-purchase">Louisiana Purchase</a> in 1803 put the territory under American rule.</p>
<p>The frame-by-frame look at the GIF is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Non-Native_American_Nations_Control_over_N_America_1750-2008.gif">available on Wikipedia</a>.</p>
<h3><strong><br>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/measles-anti-vaxxers-unvaccinated-disney-kids-2015-1">Disneyland Measles Outbreak Shows Why We Should Ban Unvaccinated Kids From Schools</a></strong></h3>
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<h3> </h3><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-the-majority-of-americans-2014-6?op=1#ixzz3Q7yDlGfu" >14 Fascinating Facts About The Majority Of Americans</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-history-of-north-american-rule-in-one-amazing-gif-2015-1#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/what-happened-to-michael-rockefeller-2014-3The Story Of How A Rockefeller May Have Been Eaten By Cannibalshttp://www.businessinsider.com/what-happened-to-michael-rockefeller-2014-3
Wed, 26 Mar 2014 15:44:00 -0400Leslie Baehr
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5332ea94eab8ea3877147c44-480-/enemy_skull.jpg" border="0" alt="Enemy Skull" width="480" /></p><p>In November 1961, 23-year-old Michael Rockefeller, the son of then-New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and great-grandson of Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller, went missing somewhere off the southwest coast of New Guinea.</p>
<p>The young Rockefeller had gone there to collect primitive art from the isolated Asmat tribe, whose culture was, until fairly recently, a "mirror image of every taboo of the West," author <a href="http://carlhoffman.com/">Carl Hoffman</a> writes in his new investigative book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Harvest-Cannibals-Colonialism-Rockefeller's/dp/0062116150/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1391719774&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=savage+harvest">Savage Harvest</a>."</p>
<p>Traditionally, the Asmat consumed human flesh, shared wives, painted themselves in human blood, prized the skulls of their enemies, and had a language "so complex it had seventeen tenses," writes Hoffman. Some men ate other men in order to "become" them.</p>
<p>So what happened to the member of one of the wealthiest families in America? Did he fall prey to the Asmat? Did he drown? Was he hiding out? Was he eaten by sharks? Or worse, humans?</p>
<p>Although search parties combed the island for Rockefeller after he went missing, a body was never found.</p>
<p>The official conclusion of the initial two-week investigation was that Rockefeller had drowned. But Hoffman still wondered &mdash; his investigation lured him across the globe where he found a culture adrift between ancient customs and Western colonization.</p>
<p>Rockefeller's last known whereabouts was where he was swimming, heading away from an overturned catamaran in the Arafura Sea. Through documents from Dutch colonial archives and interviews with those in Asmat at the time of Rockefeller's disappearance, Hoffman makes the case that the 23-year-old did not drown, but made it to shore where he was killed.</p>
<p>A few years prior to Rockefeller's arrival, two warring Asmat villages engaged in a "mutual massacre," according to Hoffman. To teach the Asmat a lesson that such battles would not be tolerated, "a zealous Dutch colonial patrol officer" confiscated weapons, burned parts of one village and killed people in the other, Hoffman said in an <a href="http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&amp;t=1&amp;islist=false&amp;id=291140637&amp;m=291156813">interview with NPR</a>.</p>
<p>To the Asmat, who constantly sought to balance out the world through ritualistic killing, taking Rockefeller's life would have simply been one of the next steps.</p>
<p>For the full story, check out Carl Hoffman's book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Harvest-Cannibals-Colonialism-Rockefeller's/dp/0062116150/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1391719774&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=savage+harvest">Savage Harvest: A Tale Of Cannibals, Colonialism, And Michael Rockefeller's Tragic Quest For Primitive Art</a>."</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-happened-to-michael-rockefeller-2014-3#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/jamestown-cannibals-ate-children-2013-5Jamestown Cannibals: Evidence Suggests Settlers ATE Children During Harsh Wintershttp://www.businessinsider.com/jamestown-cannibals-ate-children-2013-5
Wed, 01 May 2013 15:35:00 -0400Jennifer Welsh
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/51814818eab8ea876d000009-620-/jr3081mandibleareaa03_cropped.jpg" border="0" alt="Jamestown - Mandible Detail 1" width="620" /></p><p>New skeletal evidence from Jamestown &mdash; the oldest permanent English settlement in the Americas &mdash; indicates that during tough times, the <a href="http://newsdesk.si.edu/releases/smithsonian-and-preservation-virginia-reveal-startling-survival-story-historic-jamestown" target="_blank">inhabitants started eating each other</a>.</p>
<p>The bones showed that a 14-year-old girl was one of the victims of the brutal practice, known as "survival cannibalism." The find was announced Wednesday, May 1, at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.<a href="http://newsdesk.si.edu/releases/smithsonian-and-preservation-virginia-reveal-startling-survival-story-historic-jamestown"></a></p>
<p>The remains were identified by Smithsonian researchers in the physical anthropology department. They were dated to the winter of 1609-1610, when recent settlers were starving to death. More than 80% of the colony's settlers died.</p>
<p>There was anecdotal evidence that colonizers ate everything from dogs and mice, and there were a few reports of occasional cannibalism during this period, which was called the "starving time." Jamestown wasn't alone, cannibalism was reported in other New World colonies during this period, as well.</p>
<p>"The desperation and overwhelming circumstances faced by the James Fort colonists during the winter of 1609&ndash;1610 are reflected in the postmortem treatment of this girl&rsquo;s body," study researcher Douglas Owsley <a href="http://newsdesk.si.edu/releases/smithsonian-and-preservation-virginia-reveal-startling-survival-story-historic-jamestown">said in a press release</a>. "The clear intent was to dismember the body, removing the brain and flesh from the face for consumption."</p>
<p>The girl's bones, the first physical proof of these acts, were found in a cellar in the original fort. The researchers found parts of her skull, lower jaw, and leg bone, seen below:<img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/518148a16bb3f70b3400001b-5616-3048/jamesfort_apv_jr3081_0006_cropped.jpg" border="0" alt="Jamestown - Human Remains" width="620" /></p>
<p>There could be more of her skeleton in the cellar &mdash; she ended up there when it was filled with trash during a cleanup in anticipation of the arrival of the colony's governor. The researchers still have about 18 inches of material to sift through.</p>
<p>More bones could help identify the girl and find out exactly how she died.</p>
<p>The marks on the bones indicate the body was hacked up by an ax, cleaver, or knife. It is not known if the girl was murdered or if she was already dead when the injuries were inflicted.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/skeleton-of-teenage-girl-confirms-cannibalism-at-jamestown-colony/2013/05/01/5af5b474-b1dc-11e2-9a98-4be1688d7d84_story.html?hpid=z1">The Washington Post</a> has a gruesome description of the act:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The first chops, to the forehead, did not go through the bone and are perhaps evidence of hesitancy about the task. The next set, after the body was rolled over, were more effective. One cut split the skull all the way to the base.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"The person is truly figuring it out as they go," said Douglas Owsley, a physical anthropologist at the Smithsonian Institution.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">In the meantime, someone &mdash; perhaps with more experience &mdash; was working on a leg. The tibia bone is broken with a single blow, as one might do in butchering a cow.</p>
<p>Researchers at the museum worked with <a href="http://www.studioeis.com/" target="_blank">StudioEIS</a> of Brooklyn to reconstruct the face of the girl, who was probably a handmaiden and a daughter of a colonist. <img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/51814870ecad04803d000006-4181-5000/jr3081f_reconstruction_016_b.jpg" border="0" alt="Jamestown - Forensic Facial Reconstruction " width="620" /></p>
<p>Here are some additional images, and a video from the Smithsonian:<img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/51814867ecad04633b000020-2680-3624/jr3081mandibleareaa27_stitch.jpg" border="0" alt="Jamestown - Mandible Detail 1" width="620" /><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5181482decad04633b000010-3413-2063/jamesfort_apv_jr3081f_045_cropped.jpg" border="0" alt="Jamestown - Mandible with Cuts" width="620" /></p>
<p style="float:right;"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/518147d169beddd536000008-954-1037/jamesfort_apv_jr3081f_002_cropped.jpg" border="0" alt="Jamestown - Skull with Chops" width="620" /></p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="349" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FGcN9_Gd5zQ"></iframe></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jamestown-cannibals-ate-children-2013-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/top-5-colonial-cities-in-the-americas-2013-1South America Has Been Hiding Some Seriously Great Places To Retire http://www.businessinsider.com/top-5-colonial-cities-in-the-americas-2013-1
Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:11:00 -0500Kathleen Peddicord
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/510021ececad045549000009-400-/800px-reviver.jpg" border="0" alt="sao luis brazil" width="400" /></p><p>It&rsquo;s hard to compete with a well-kept Spanish-colonial city for charm, romance, and splendor.</p>
<p>The plazas, cobblestone streets, courtyard homes, and flowered balconies take you back to Spain's grand colonial era in a way that is hard to match and that can make for a very appealing retirement lifestyle.</p>
<p>The best part is that some of the grandest Spanish colonial cities are also some of the most affordable places to think about retiring.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><h3>1. Cartagena, Colombia</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/4f8c477d6bb3f75561000000-400-300/1-cartagena-colombia.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Of Spain&rsquo;s cities on this side of the ocean, Cartagena, <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/On-Retirement/2012/01/17/starting-over-in-medellin-colombia">Colombia</a>, is often recognized as the most beautiful, with a lot to offer potential expats or retirees.</p>
<p>As colonial cities go in the Americas, some would argue that Cartagena is king. It is one of the world&rsquo;s few remaining walled cities, has been largely restored, and is very well preserved.</p>
<p>You&rsquo;ll be impressed by the number of shops, cafes, and restaurants.</p>
<p>Cartagena combines the best of old Spanish America with the richness of the Caribbean. The courtyards and narrow streets are old Spain, while the bright colors of the houses add a Caribbean flair.</p>
<p>The traditional Colombian cuisine on offer in places like Cafeter&iacute;a Bocaditos may be reminiscent of Madrid, but the women walking about with giant trays of fresh fruit balanced on their heads remind you that you're on the shores of the Caribbean.</p>
<p>Plus, Cartagena offers a number of attractive beach areas that attract large numbers of expats. These beach areas are not in the historic center, but a few minutes away by cab.</p>
<p>Thinking more practically, the infrastructure in this area is great, with drinkable water, well-maintained streets, cable TV, high-speed Internet, and a convenient international airport just minutes away.</p>
<p>The weather in Cartagena is either warm and dry or warm and humid, depending on when you go. (May through November tends to be humid.)</p>
<p>One downside to retirement in Cartagena can be the tourist annoyances&mdash;the ever-present vendors trying to sell you something, the scamming moneychangers, and, at times, the numbers of tourists themselves.</p>
<p>Early-risers can avoid this by exploring places before 9 a.m. Also, if you don't like typically hot Caribbean weather, then Cartagena wouldn't be a good choice for you.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>2. Colonia, Uruguay</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/510020b1eab8eaf23300000a-400-300/2-colonia-uruguay.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>While far less recognized than Cartagena, Colonia&rsquo;s Barrio Hist&oacute;rico (original historic center) can be an unbeatable retirement option.</p>
<p>The Barrio Hist&oacute;rico is an island of history adjacent to an otherwise modern city.</p>
<p>The neighborhood is on a peninsula, mostly surrounded by water, meaning it will never become the center of a large metro area or see any through-traffic. Yet the more-modern sections of town are close at hand.</p>
<p>Further, while the district itself boasts 17th century buildings, streets, and ambiance, Barrio Hist&oacute;rico still enjoys <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/On-Retirement/2011/10/24/7-reasons-to-retire-to-uruguays-golden-coast">Uruguay</a>&rsquo;s generally first-rate infrastructure.</p>
<p>Another benefit of living in Colonia&rsquo;s Barrio Hist&oacute;rico is that it&rsquo;s relatively crime-free compared with almost anywhere else in Latin America.</p>
<p>You can enjoy its inordinate number of cafes, shops, and fine dining establishments, day or night, without worrying about your personal safety or belongings.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>3. Casco Viejo, Panama</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5100211c6bb3f7d233000002-400-300/3-casco-viejo-panama.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Casco Viejo in <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/On-Retirement/2011/01/24/10-reasons-to-retire-in-panama">Panama City</a> is another top colonial city retirement option.</p>
<p>Like Colonia, it&rsquo;s on a peninsula and not central to the rest of the city. Yet just a few minutes away, Panama City offers almost anything you could want, from modern stores and supermarkets to international-standard medical care.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Casco Viejo&rsquo;s state of restoration is nothing like that in Colonia. While Colonia&rsquo;s Barrio Hist&oacute;rico is virtually 100 percent restored, Casco Viejo is still a work-in-progress.</p>
<p>There are many nicely restored buildings and parks, while many others are in stages of decay.</p>
<p>You do have a good selection of shops, cafes, and nice restaurants in Casco, but petty crime can be more of a concern than in Colonia.</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/top-5-colonial-cities-in-the-americas-2013-1#4-granada-nicaragua-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/gary-shillings-bullish-case-for-india-2012-12GARY SHILLING: Here's Why India Is A Better Bet Than Chinahttp://www.businessinsider.com/gary-shillings-bullish-case-for-india-2012-12
Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:40:00 -0500Mamta Badkar
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/50cf65faeab8eaf976000009-400-300/gateway-of-india-1.jpg" border="0" alt="mumbai gateway of india" width="400" height="300" /></p><p>Of the world's big emerging markets, China is widely seen as the most significant and reliable engine for growth, even despite its recent slowdown.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jim-oneill-india-2012-8">India has been a disappointment</a> with its infrastructure problems and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/crazy-things-that-happen-in-india-2012-12">notoriously slow bureaucracy</a>.</p>
<p>But legendary economist Gary Shilling tells us not to write India off just yet.</p>
<p>In the latest edition of his must-read newsletter <a href="http://www.agaryshilling.com/insight.html"><em>Insights</em></a>, Shilling makes a brilliant bullish case for India.</p>
<p>"In the long run, India has many advantages for economic development, especially compared to China, thanks in part to the systems and traditions left over from British colonial rule," wrote Shilling.</p>
<p>Of course, he warns that India faces many setbacks on this path and needs to implement reforms, improve education and infrastructure, speed up urbanization.</p>
<p>But India has the foundation in place to eclipse China.</p><h3>India has no limits on population growth</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4d2f3b2549e2ae5546130000-400-300/india-has-no-limits-on-population-growth.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>As of 2011, India had a population of 1.24 billion, compared with 1.34 billion in China. And with China's one-child policy, India's population is set to overtake China's.</p>
<p>Moreover, the age distribution in both countries is very different. The dependency ratio i.e. the ratio of children and seniors to the working-age population is expected to continue to fall in India and rise in China. Of course this would only translate into more productivity if the population got education, job training, and job opportunities.</p>
<p><em>Source: A Gary Shilling's Insight</em></p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>India's demographic mix will continue to be much more favorable than China's</h3>
<img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/50ca46fc6bb3f79d4c000003-400-300/indias-demographic-mix-will-continue-to-be-much-more-favorable-than-chinas.jpg" alt="" />
<br/><br/><h3>India has historically had more free market orientation than China</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4fc7f1b5ecad04e234000009-400-300/india-has-historically-had-more-free-market-orientation-than-china.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>In the years following independence, Indian politics were dominated by the Congress party which tried to emulate the Soviet Union, nationalizing many industries in the 50s and causing foreign investment to decline. But starting 1991, the country shifted towards liberalization and capitalism.</p>
<p>"Nevertheless, India has historically had a much more free market orientation than some other large developing countries, notably Russia and China." State controlled companies account for 14 percent of GDP in India, compared with 50 percent in China.</p>
<p>"India also has a number of large and sophisticated companies such as the Tata complex that can compete globally. In contrast, China is burdened with government-controlled banks and other hugely-inefficient state-owned enterprises that still produce 50% of GDP and employ a quarter of the workforce."</p>
<p><em>Source: A Gary Shilling's Insight</em></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/gary-shillings-bullish-case-for-india-2012-12#indias-currency-market-is-more-open-than-chinas-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/french-speaking-vacations-not-in-france-2012-124 Great Getaways To French-Speaking Destinationshttp://www.businessinsider.com/french-speaking-vacations-not-in-france-2012-12
Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:04:00 -0500Oyster.com
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/50cb56b969bedd315400000b-400-/st-martin-island.jpg" border="0" alt="St. Martin Island" width="400" /></p><p>There&rsquo;s something &mdash; should we say a certain <em>je ne sais quoi</em> &mdash; about getting away to a spot that&rsquo;s completely different. A different culture, different food, different people, a different language &mdash; all of these things can make you feel worlds away from home (in a good way, of course).</p>
<p>And when <em>we&rsquo;re</em> choosing a destination, we often can&rsquo;t help but be drawn to French-speaking locales. After all, French is the language of love, and we feel pretty glam when we&rsquo;re casually <span></span> <span></span>conversing with locals in <em>Francais</em>.</p>
<p>But <a href="http://www.oyster.com/paris/hotels/">Paris</a> is so last year. (Okay, so that&rsquo;s a lie &mdash; Paris is always fabulous. But work with us here.) So why not visit a French-speaking spot that has, say, a beach as well? Or skip away to a European lakeside locale where French is the official language. If you want to immerse yourself in the French culture, France is certainly not your only option.</p><h3>St. Barts: Hotel La Banane</h3>
<img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/50cb567e6bb3f7ca4a000005-400-300/st-barts-hotel-la-banane.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Nicknamed St. Barts, St. Barthelemy in the French West Indies has been a playground to the rich and famous for several decades.</p>
<p>Nestled among the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, it was a French colony until 2007 when St. Barts officially became a &ldquo;separate overseas collectivity.&rdquo; French is spoken by many locals (although almost everyone on the island can speak some English) and much of the cuisine has a French flair. This, paired with the fact that almost all food products are imported from France, means meals can be pricey. Seafood, however, including conch &mdash; an island specialty &mdash; is caught locally. The well-heeled venture out to St. Barts not only for its gourmet restaurants, but also for its high-end designer shops, secluded beaches, and exclusive location. Celebs such as Jimmy Buffet, David Letterman, and Steve Martin own property on the island and are frequent visitors.</p>
<p>Stay at the retro-chic boutique hotel, <a href="http://www.oyster.com/st-barts/hotels/hotel-la-banane/" target="_blank">Hotel La Banane</a>. It's located just a skip away from Lorient Bay, and makes up for a lack of amenities with a hipper-than-thou scene. It&rsquo;s a Parisian escape on St. Barts, with rooms inspired by 1950s Paris &mdash; white and pastel blues and tile, open bathrooms, art books, wall murals, and vintage minimalist furnishings. The nine freestanding bungalows all have indoor/outdoor showers and private terraces, and two small pools are surrounded by palm trees and white lounge chairs. This place is tres chic &mdash; not to mention sexy. It&rsquo;s a good choice for couples looking for a getaway with ambiance.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Geneva, Switzerland: Hotel Les Amures</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/50cb567feab8ea593100000b-400-300/geneva-switzerland-hotel-les-amures.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Geneva is a picturesque city, divided into two banks by Lake Geneva, and surrounded by mountains.</p>
<p>During the winters, visitors and locals head to the mountains to ski; ski resorts such as Verbier and Crans-Montana are conveniently only about an hour away. And in the summertime, the lake &mdash; and nearby beaches &mdash; become popular spots for swimming. But all year long, tourists can enjoy the city&rsquo;s cafe culture (reminiscent of Paris), beautiful gardens, specialty shops (the city is known for its gorgeous jewelry and watches), fabulous restaurants, and many sights. It&rsquo;s located in Romandy, the western French-speaking portion of Switzerland, and has excellent French-influenced cuisine, gorgeous architecture, and views of Mont Blanc.</p>
<p>Stay at the <a href="http://www.oyster.com/geneva/hotels/hotel-les-armures/" target="_blank">Hotel Les Amures</a>, a quaint luxury boutique with a fabulous location in Old Town. The 32 rooms in this 17th century mansion are charming and high-end, with details such as wood-beamed ceilings, faux-fur throws, and stone walls that create a French chalet vibe. The style extends into the restaurant, breakfast room, and common spaces &mdash; beamed ceilings are present throughout, and there&rsquo;s even a suit of armor in the lobby. The hotel attracts well-heeled couples and even the occasional celebrity &mdash; George Clooney stayed here &mdash; but amenities are few: There is no spa, fitness center, or pool. Rates are a bit steep considering the lack of features, but at least breakfast and Wi-Fi are free.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>St. Martin: Esmeralda Resort</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/50cb568169bedd105400000f-400-300/st-martin-esmeralda-resort.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>St. Martin, the French side of the Caribbean island split between the Dutch and the French, takes up the northern two-thirds of the island.</p>
<p>The native language is French, the area is subject to French law, and it has a very European vibe. Less developed than the Dutch side, St. Martin offers plenty of natural attractions, including the beautiful (and clothing-optional) Orient Beach and Loterie Farm&rsquo;s tree-to-tree zip-line. Visitors seeking a more relaxed pace might want to check out Marigot, the French capital, which offers a European feel and a laid-back vibe with secluded, intimate accommodations.</p>
<p>Stay at the <a href="http://www.oyster.com/st-martin-st-maarten/hotels/esmeralda-resort/" target="_blank">Esmeralda Resort</a>. Located within an upscale community featuring several resorts, restaurants, and one of the island&rsquo;s best beaches, the Esmeralda Resort offers seclusion and elegance with semi-private pools (shared among four units), stylish tropical rooms, and a well-respected restaurant &mdash; all within a two-minute walk of the beach. The rooms stand out for quality furnishings &mdash; you won&rsquo;t find the tacky wicker furnishings so common in St. Maarten/St. Martin here. Rather, dark wood chairs and tables with a French Colonial style accent terracotta floor tiles and dramatic whitewashed vaulted ceilings. Plus, the hotel&rsquo;s L&rsquo;Astrolabe bistro is an island highlight thanks to its acclaimed classic French-Caribbean cuisine with a modern twist. Additional features are few, but for self-sufficient couples and families looking for a lush retreat with a great location, Esmeralda delivers the goods.</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/french-speaking-vacations-not-in-france-2012-12#montreal-canada-lhotel-montreal-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a>